Dave doubles order for ratings hit Storage Hunters UK

21 January 2015

UKTV's award-winning entertainment channel Dave, has commissioned two more series of Storage Hunters UK from independent production company North One, based on T Group's smash-hit US version.

Storage Hunters UK launched with 1.14m viewers (overnight, average individuals) and a 5.2% share becoming one of the channel's highest rated shows ever with episode one of Storage Hunters UK consolidating up to 2.5m.

Based on Storage Hunters - also airing on Dave, Storage Hunters UK will return with a second series (10x30') in the summer of 2015 with legendary auctioneer Sean Kelly firmly at the helm; followed by a third series (10x30') later in the year.

Catherine Catton, UKTV's Senior Commissioning Editor, said,

North One, Sean Kelly and T-Group have worked hard with us to make Storage Hunters UK a stand-out success. I'm very much looking forward to working with the team on the next two series, we have the most exciting format along with some of the biggest characters who will do anything to win!

Steve North, General Manager for Dave, added,

There was an element of risk in bringing a format that was so well-loved by the Dave audience to our shores. But injecting Dave's personality into a format that blends jeopardy, tension and laugh-out-loud moments has resonated with our audience and I'm very pleased we are able to bring them more of what they love.

John Quinn, Executive Producer for North One, said, "The reaction to the first series was overwhelmingly positive - and proof the UK audience was clearly ready to embrace such brash, entrepreneurial spirit and chutzpah in bidders this side of the pond. We're obviously delighted to have not one, but two further series to build on this initial success - and it's great to know at this early point that we have the scope to get properly under the skin of our larger-than-life cast."

Jenny Daly, President of T Group Productions, said,

I am thrilled that the original US shows and now UK originals have translated so successfully with Dave's audience. Having the integration with original cast members like Sean and the new British talent is a really smart move by Dave to ensure the continued success. I am very excited to be a part of both continents success.

Storage Hunters UK was commissioned by UKTV's Commissioning Editor Catherine Catton, and ordered by Steve North, General Manager for Dave. Catherine will also executive produce for UKTV alongside Jenny Daly for T Group Productions and John Quinn for North One Television. Series Producer is Sean Doherty.

Dave continues to grow as the UK's most watched non-PSB channel, the announcement follows the successful return of recent original commissions Dave Gorman Modern Life is Goodish, Alan Davies As Yet Untitled and Crackanory. Ross Noble Freewheeling returns for a second series in March and 2015 also sees Dave continue to grow its original programming slate with brand new series Hoff The Record, Undercover and Taskmaster.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Notes to Editors:

About Dave HD

Sky 111/232, Virgin 128, HD: 129, Freeview 12

Dave proudly presents a plethora of original commissions; Crackanory, Ross Noble Freewheeling, Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish, and Dara O Briain: School of Hard Sums, all laden with the biggest names in British comedy. Not to mention a brand spanking new series with QI favourite Alan Davies in Alan Davies As Yet Untitled.

If that wasn't enough to whet your appetite we also have a stack of national treasures like QI, Red Dwarf X, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You, plus the Red Bull trilogy of Cliff Diving, X-Fighters and the Soap Box races. And of course, we still have Top Gear.

Obviously we have to add, Dave is the UK's most watched non-PSB channel broadcasting to over 27 million people per month, featuring hit US shows including the sharp-witted and sharp-suited Suits, the ludicrously addictive Lizard Lick Towing and the wonder that is Storage Hunters, the gift that keeps on giving.

About UKTV

UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers every month.

UKTV's eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, Watch, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food - include the most popular non-PSB channel in the UK and account for 9% of the British commercial TV market. The company's most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £278m, and EBITDA of £67.4m. It invested a record £125m in programming and related launches last year, and is becoming an increasingly significant investor in UK creativity.

UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC, alongside programmes originally shown on ITV and Channel 4. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.

Now celebrating its 22nd year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British television broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.